The Jackson area offers primitive and established camping options across southeastern Ohio's Appalachian foothills, with elevations ranging from 600 to 1,000 feet. Located within Wayne National Forest and surrounding state parks, camping spots near Jackson, Ohio provide access to unique geological features including abandoned mining tunnels and iron furnace ruins that tell the story of Ohio's industrial past.
What to do
Paddle on Pine Lake: At Tar Hollow State Park Campground, you'll find a small lake with boat rentals. "Pine Lake is nice, but the beach is a bit small. Overall, this has been a lovely place to relax and decompress!" notes a camper.
Explore historic structures: Near Lake Hope State Park Campground, visit the Hope Furnace iron production site. "As history buffs will know that Ohio was one of the nation's leading iron producers back in the day," explains one visitor who enjoyed the historic sites.
Visit Moonville Tunnel: This abandoned railroad tunnel is accessible from multiple campgrounds. "The haunted Moonville Tunnel is nearby and worth the short drive and hike. Unfortunately, it is becoming defaced by disrespectful taggers...still cool nonetheless," reports a Lake Hope visitor.
Feed hummingbirds: Lake Hope offers unique wildlife interactions. "The naturalists feed hummingbirds at the nature center. They pull the feeders for awhile leading up to a 'Feed the Hummingbirds' program. So cool! The birds come right to you!" shares one camper.
What campers like
Primitive backpacking options: Zaleski State Forest offers multi-day hiking loops with designated camping areas. "The trail is diverse and great for beginners and experienced hikers. The campsites have privies, spigots for water, and a lot of different sites for different sized groups," explains one backpacker.
Privacy from crowds: Some campgrounds offer a more secluded experience. "Rarely have I seen other hikers on the same trails but we always meet people at camp. The terrain has many climbs and descents and takes you along ridges, through valleys, and along forest floors," notes a Zaleski visitor.
Clear night skies: Scioto Trail State Park Campground offers excellent stargazing. "The campground is a little confusing... But the sites are just beautiful. They are all decent sizes and well shaded by very tall trees. The campground is also really, really dark... Take a walk up to the parking area at night to check out the stars."
Walk-in tent sites: Some campgrounds offer tent-only areas separate from RVs. "I stayed in the non-electric, tent-only campground NOT the RV campground... Walk-in sites with pit toilets and potable water... we all had plenty of space - I could barely see them through the trees," reports a Scioto Trail camper.
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Many Jackson-area camping locations feature hilly terrain. At Lake Hope State Park Campground, "sites are mostly small and tight on hilly terrain. That said, I would still recommend this as a nice weekend getaway."
Limited cell service: Most campgrounds around Jackson have poor reception. A camper at Tar Hollow notes, "It is pretty remote (no cell phone coverage at even the top of the hills), and really is a chance to 'get away' from the modern life."
Pit toilets common: Many state parks have limited bathroom facilities. "The pit latrines are convenient for those emergency situations but they're not the cleanest but it is not a far drive to the flush toilets at the RV campsite area near the camp store," explains a Tar Hollow visitor.
Fog concerns for boaters: Lake Hope presents unique weather conditions. "Watch out for the FOG on the lake at night! It gets so bad you can't see past the end of your boat!" warns one visitor.
Crowded holiday weekends: "Great trails, nice bike path and walking path around lake great new shower house," says a visitor to Lake Alma State Park Campground, though others note weekends get very busy with "drinking and being very loud up until after 11:30."
Tips for camping with families
Children's activities: Top O' The Caves Campground provides recreation options beyond hiking. "It has mini golf, a pool, park and small game room which is awesome for camping with kids. It offers rustic cabins for those that dont tent camp or have a rv."
Easy walking trails: Some parks offer accessible paths for all ages. At Lake Alma, "A beautiful place that is very accessible to people walking or biking from the campground unlike other SE Ohio state parks. The campground is a bit tightly packed but there is so much to do that you don't mind."
Naturalist programs: Multiple parks offer educational programs. At Tar Hollow, "The nature center is friendly and welcoming. There is a naturalist who conducts several activities. In past years we've been able to spend an hour or so at the nature rooms, and then let the kids go off with the naturalist on an hour+ guided hike."
Pack insect protection: Parents should come prepared for bugs. A Zaleski camper notes, "Trails had lots of poison ivy & ticks present. We look forward to coming back & doing the remainder of the trail."
Tips from RVers
Site selection crucial: RV sites vary significantly in size and levelness. At Lake Alma, "Super small campground with one road in/same road out. Check-out time created quite the backup. The sites were too short for my camper, which is odd because when booking I indicated the length of my camper."
Electric-only hookups: Many campgrounds offer electric but not full hookups. At Jackson Lake State Park, campers note "Electric only sites" and recommend bringing plenty of water for your stay.
Challenging terrain: The hills present challenges for larger rigs. "Camp sites 40-43 are for close friends of family. Spur of the moment plans landed us here for the weekend. We booked 42 site unseen.. when we put out our awning we touched camper in front of us," reports a Lake Alma visitor.
